Ticket dispensing modules and method

ABSTRACT

The dispenser dispenses tickets such as instant-winner lottery tickets from a strip in which the individual tickets are delineated by perforation lines. The dispenser includes a separator to tear the tickets apart before issuing them from the machine. The separator preferably is rotary and has a dull helical blade which rotates to contact the ticket strip adjacent a perforation line, and presses against the strip to tear the tickets apart along the perforation line at a point which progresses across the strip along the perforation line. Preferably, a bar code reader is provided for reading codes on tickets in the dispensing machine. The bar code reader is used in reading information from the tickets to initialize the dispenser control system and in accounting for the sale of tickets, and in the verification of winning tickets being sold. A game is provided in which the concept is that a jackpot is built up using the detection of each ticket sold. The mechanism is simplified by using a separator member and transport drive structures which span a plurality of different channels or bins of a multi-channel dispenser. This provides a very compact, simple, secure and low-cost mechanism which is used both in stand-alone ticket vending machines, and in counter-top attended dispensers

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/060,423, filed Apr. 14, 1998, and of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/128,406, filed Aug. 3, 1998.

[0002] This invention relates to dispensers, vending machines andmethods, and particularly to dispensers, vending machines and methodsfor dispensing tickets from strips in which the tickets are delineatedfrom one another by lines of weakness, such as perforation lines.Preferably, the dispensers are used to dispense “scratch-off” or“instant-winner” lottery tickets.

[0003] Various types of machines have been provided for dispensing andvending “instant-winner” or “scratch-off” type lottery tickets. Suchtickets are characterized by being printed in long strips in which eachticket is delineated from the others by perforation lines.

[0004] The tickets often are stored in fan-fold form in a vendingmachine, and are issued in response to the insertion of money by thecustomer. The tickets are characterized by being printed on relativelyheavy stock which is relatively stiff, but still flexible.

[0005] In some of the vending machines, the customer tears the ticketsoff of the strip by pulling on the ticket as it extends from themachine. In other such machines, the machine bursts each ticket apartfrom the rest and dispenses it separately.

[0006] In the type of dispenser in which tickets are burst free from thestrip, there are several significant problems.

[0007] One of the main problems is that the separating mechanismcurrently used is relatively large, complex, and expensive to build andmaintain.

[0008] Another problem with such prior dispensers is that the mostcommon of such dispensers burst each and every ticket free from thestrip. This tends to thwart the desires of some customers who wouldprefer to receive a string of connected tickets.

[0009] A further problem is with the loading of tickets into a multi-binlottery ticket dispensing machine. The service representative usually isrequired to read certain information off of the tickets in a batch to beloaded into one bin, and load the information into the microprocessorcontroller of the vending machine by use of a keypad or the like. Thisis time-consuming, laborious, and error-prone.

[0010] Another problem with such systems is that winning tickets usuallyrequire verification. Ticket verification usually is performed when thecustomer carries a winning ticket to a clerk in a store, who theninserts it into a machine which reads the code on the back of the ticketand checks with a central computer to ascertain that the ticket soidentified is, indeed, a winner, and to verify the winning amount. Whenthis verification is complete, the holder can be paid the winnings.

[0011] Although this procedure minimizes certain kinds of errors andfraud, it does not detect a ticket which has come into the possession ofthe holder by means other than its actual dispensation from a vendingmachine.

[0012] Another problem with instant-winner gaming tickets is that arelatively large variety of different games are developed in order tokeep the ticket buyers' interest. This creates additional costs for thelottery ticket issuing organization, requires more dispensing bins pervending machine, and/or more vending machines to dispense the multitudeof games.

[0013] It is another problem with ticket vending systems that they donot provide accounting for all of the tickets dispensed by the vendingmachines in the system.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea ticket dispenser and vending machine which separates tickets from oneanother, and yet has a separator mechanism which is relatively simple inconstruction and operation, and is relatively compact and inexpensive tomanufacture and maintain.

[0015] In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide such adispenser and vending machine in which tickets can be issued eithersingly or in strips of several tickets fastened together, as desired bythe customer.

[0016] An additional object of the invention is to provide such aseparator mechanism which requires relatively low levels of force to beapplied to create the separating action.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to provide a vending machineand method in which initializing each machine and loading it withtickets requires less time and labor, and is less subject to error.

[0018] It also is an object of the invention to provide a lottery ticketdispensing system and method which is less likely to suffer from fraud.

[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide a gaming methodand apparatus in which a super prize is offered which greatly heightensinterest in the games without excessively increasing the cost to theoperator.

[0020] It is a further object of the invention to provide a lotteryticket vending machine system and method in which every ticket which issold can be accounted for without undue cost.

[0021] In accordance with the present invention, the foregoingobjectives are satisfied by the provision of a vending machine withmeans for issuing a number of tickets corresponding to the amount ofmonetary exchange provided to the machine by the customer, and in whichthere is a separator for separating tickets from a ticket strip bybringing a skewed separator member into engagement with the ticket stripadjacent a selected line of weakness. The skewing is such that motion ofthe strip and the separator member relative to one another tearsadjacent tickets apart along the line of weakness at a location whichprogresses along the line of weakness.

[0022] Further, in accordance with the invention, the separatingapparatus requires a relatively low level of separating force to beapplied to accomplish the separating action. This reduces the wear onthe machine components, reduces the energy required for the separatingoperation, and reduces the cost of the components.

[0023] Preferably, the separator member is rotatably mounted on an axistransverse to the direction of motion of the ticket strip, and the mostpreferable form of the separator member is a dull blade which describesa helix. As the blade is rotated into contact with the strip, first oneportion and then laterally-spaced portions of the blade contact thestrip, pressing firmly on it and tearing the strip apart along theselected line of weakness.

[0024] It also is preferred that a guide be provided to urge the ticketstrip into contact with and bend it around the rotary separator so as tostiffen the ticket strip and otherwise facilitate the separationprocess.

[0025] The ticket strip upstream from the separating location is heldagainst movement under pressure from the separator by the ticket guidestructure. In addition, a conveyor system is provided to guide theoutput ticket against the separator and out of the ticket outlet.

[0026] In one embodiment, a line-of-weakness or perforation detector isprovided to detect each line of weakness (perforation) and use theperforation detections to control the movement of the strip. Inparticular, movement is controlled so that a selected line of weaknessis guided to a separating location, at which position the strip stops,if a separating operation is to be performed.

[0027] Preferably, the line of weakness detector bends the ticket stripthrough a substantial angle and detects the lateral deflection of thestrip which occurs when a perforation reaches the point at which thebend is created. This is used to create an electrical signal which thenis used to control the drive system and separating mechanism.

[0028] The use of a perforation detector makes it possible to accuratelyand reliably detect the position of the ticket strip without tearing offevery ticket from the strip. This makes it possible to issue the ticketsin strings as long as the customer pays for.

[0029] Alternatively, a leading edge detector can be used to detect theposition of the strip, and the position of the next line of weakness forseparation can be calculated. Thus, the tickets can be issued eithersingly or in strings containing multiple tickets.

[0030] The vending machine preferably accepts cash or credit cards inpayment, or can accept vouchers with bar-coded information which is readby a bar-code reader to cause the machine to issue the proper number andtype of tickets.

[0031] The foregoing objects also are met by the provision of adispensing or vending machine and method in which a code reader isprovided for every channel or bin of the dispensing machine to read amachine-readable code on each ticket when it is dispensed. The codedinformation includes a unique identification code which is printed oneach ticket to uniquely identify it. The coded information is convertedinto electrical signals which are stored in the memory of the electricalsystem of the dispenser, and/or in a central computer to which vendinginformation is transmitted.

[0032] Alternatively, each channel of the dispensing or vending machineis identified by a bar code. When loading a new supply of tickets in thechannel, a hand-held bar code reader is used to read the bar code forthe channel, and the bar codes for both the first and last tickets inthe supply loaded into that channel. In this way, the computer receivesthe information necessary to initialize the dispenser without the needfor anyone to key the information in.

[0033] When the ticket is presented for payment, the information readfrom it is compared with that stored in the local and/or centralcomputer. Not only is the identification of the ticket read, togetherwith the information as to whether it is a winner and how much it isentitled to in winnings, but it also is determined whether the tickethas been dispensed by one of the dispensers in the system. If not, thenthe ticket is not validated for payment.

[0034] The code readers also are used in a system and method to easilyinitialize the operation of each vending machine. When a strip oftickets first is inserted into the machine, it is passed through thecode reader, which reads all of the information from the first ticket inthe strip necessary to initialize the control system of the machine.This information includes the ticket length, the number of tickets inthe batch, the identification numbers of the tickets, the type of gameand cost of each ticket, the same information as read in by means of thehand-held wand in the method described above. Since this informationneed not be read by the service representative and entered on a keypad,less time is required to load the machine, and fewer errors will be madein the loading process.

[0035] The objects of the invention also are satisfied by the provisionof a gaming method and system in which one or a very limited number ofjackpot prizes is provided by the operator of an entire lottery systemhaving many different instant-winner ticket games. A small number, suchas one to three tickets, are distributed in various games as jackpotwinners.

[0036] The jackpot can be a pre-determined amount, or, preferably, itcan increase with the sale of each ticket in the system. The codereaders are used to detect the sale of each ticket, and the centralcomputer in the ticket system adds a small increment of money to thejackpot every time a ticket is sold until there is a winner. When thecode number of a jackpot winner is detected by one of the code readers,this is made known immediately to the winner who bought the ticket, anda signal is sent to stop the further accumulation of money in thejackpot. The jackpot then is started again with a smaller amount.

[0037] The smaller amount can be a fixed sum, or it can be determined byaccumulating a “shadow” jackpot of a smaller sum per ticket soldsimultaneously with the accumulation of the main jackpot, and thensubstituting the “shadow” jackpot for the main jackpot when a winner hasbeen detected so as to start the new main jackpot with the total in the“shadow” jackpot.

[0038] This gaming system and method greatly increases the interest inthe game, without adding any new individual games, and without having toadd a large prize for each of a large number of games.

[0039] Also in accordance with the present invention, the detection ofthe dispensing of every ticket by use of the code readers makes itpossible to improve the accounting of the system by accounting for thesale of each and every ticket. This provides a cross-check to detecttheft and fraud, and reduces errors.

[0040] The object of making the dispensing mechanism more compact,simpler and less expensive to manufacture is met, in accordance with oneaspect of the invention, by using a single separator mechanism for aplurality of side-by-side ticket dispensing channels. For example, byuse of this aspect of the invention, instead of four separator motors,only one separator motor is required. It drives a single separatormember which spans all of the channels.

[0041] The number of drive motors for moving the ticket strips in theside-by-side channels also is reduced to one. The single ticket drivemotor operates a single drive shaft with one clutch for each ticketchannel to selectively move the ticket strip in a selected channel upondemand.

[0042] The single separator member preferably has a helical portion ineach channel. The separator is rotated once in order to separate anyticket in position to be separated in any of the four channels.

[0043] This mechanism is so much lighter in weight, less complex andmore compact than other comparable mechanisms that it can be usedadvantageously to dispense and separate tickets from counter-topdispensers which normally are operated manually by clerks in stores.

[0044] Preferably, each counter-top dispenser has a drive and separatormodule which is attached to a housing for storing multiple batches oftickets in multiple channels. The drive and separator unit can beattached at either end of the housing, or in the middle of the housing,and can issue tickets in a direction either parallel to the longdimension of the unit, or perpendicular thereto.

[0045] Separate dispensing modules can be stacked atop one another on acounter-top to give a larger selection of games to the customer.Alternatively, the modules can be hung from a wall in groups, or theycan be stored under a transparent top of a counter in a store, or theycan stand upright on one end on the store counter-top, or hung from arack near the counter, or in other convenient arrangements.

[0046] The order to dispense tickets is given to the dispenser by theclerk at a computer terminal, such as one presently used for sellingLotto type tickets, so that the clerk exclusively controls thedispensing of the tickets.

[0047] Alternatively, a separate small dispensing control terminal canbe provided near each cash register in the store to dispense ticketsunder the control of the clerk.

[0048] As another alternative, separate control module can be suppliedtogether with a group of dispensers attached to a support surface suchas a wall to provide for the selection and dispensing of tickets fromthe dispensers, and the acceptance of payment so as to create a vendingmachine operated by the customer.

[0049] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the inventionare set forth in or will be apparent from the following descriptions anddrawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0050]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ticket dispensing and vendingmachine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0051]FIG. 2 is a left side-elevation, partially cross-sectional view,taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, of one of several ticket-dispensingmechanisms in the machine of FIG. 1;

[0052]FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially schematic view of the mechanismof FIG. 2;

[0053]FIG. 4 is a right-side elevation view of a portion of themechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3;

[0054]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the separator member of the mechanismof FIGS. 2-4;

[0055]FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partially schematic, of an alternativeseparator member;

[0056]FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an electrical controlcircuit for the machine of FIG. 1;

[0057]FIG. 8 is a partially schematic side elevation view of anotherembodiment of the invention;

[0058]FIG. 9 is a perspective, partially schematic view of a portion ofanother vending or dispensing machine constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0059]FIG. 10 is a front elevation, partially cross-sectional andschematic view of a specific feature of the device shown in FIG. 9;

[0060]FIG. 11 is a front elevation, partially cross-sectional andschematic view of an alternative embodiment of the mechanism shown inFIG. 10;

[0061]FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the underside of aninstant-winner gaming ticket dispensed in accordance with the presentinvention;

[0062]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the gaming ticket shown in FIG. 12;

[0063]FIG. 14 is a front elevation, partially cross-sectional andpartially schematic view of a gaming ticket transport and separatormechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0064]FIG. 15A is a perspective schematic view of the code-READER of thedevice shown in FIG. 14;

[0065]FIG. 15B is a perspective schematic view of an alternativecode-reader for use in the device shown in FIG. 14;

[0066]FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a portion of the mechanismshown in FIG. 14;

[0067]FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of some of the mechanismshown in FIG. 16;

[0068]FIG. 18 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the electricalcontrol system of the dispensing machine and system of the presentinvention;

[0069]FIG. 18A is a schematic circuit diagram of another control systemof the dispensing machine and system of the present invention;

[0070]FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a counter-top orwall-mounted compact dispensing unit constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0071]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional and partially schematic view takenalong line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

[0072]FIG. 21 is a rear perspective view of a pair of the units shown inFIG. 19 stacked atop one another;

[0073]FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 are cross-sectional views like that of FIG.20, each showing a separate alternative embodiment of the unit shown inFIGS. 19 and 20;

[0074]FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a grocery store checkoutcounter utilizing dispensers constructed in accordance with the presentinvention; and

[0075]FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of a checkout counter inanother store, also using the dispensers of the present invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0076]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine 10 constructedin accordance with the present invention. The vending machine isspecifically designed to sell instant-winner or “scratch-off” typelottery tickets.

[0077] The machine 10 includes a housing 12 having side walls 14, a topwall 16, front wall 18 and a bottom wall and rear walls (not shown).

[0078] Extending from the front wall 18 are a plurality of window framestructures forming eight separate dispensing windows 20 through 27, eachhaving its own dispensing mechanism and being adapted to dispenselottery tickets which are displayed at 28 in a window.

[0079] The lottery tickets are ordered by the customer first insertingcash or other means of monetary exchange into a receptor device 34. Thedevice 34 preferably receives paper currency. Alternatively, it willaccept coins, credit cards, or a printed voucher slip bearing bar-codedinformation regarding the identity and the number of tickets ordered andpaid for at another location.

[0080] The credit corresponding to the amount of money or creditdeposited appears on a display 126.

[0081] The customer then depresses a selector button 30 in one of theeight dispensers and a corresponding ticket is dispensed through anoutlet dispensing slot 32.

[0082] The customer can dispense as many tickets as he or she wishes ina string of tickets. Alternatively, the customer can direct that eachticket be separated from the string of tickets and dispensed separatelythrough the outlet opening 32.

[0083] Each of the separate dispensing windows 21-27 has a dispensingmechanism like that of the unit 20, and operates in the same manner.Therefore, a description of only one of the dispensers, the one for unit20, will be given below.

Dispenser Mechanism

[0084] The preferred dispenser mechanism 21 used in the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view ofthe mechanism 21. Only a portion of the mechanism sufficient to show itsoperating principles is shown.

[0085] The mechanism is mounted behind a front panel 38. The front panel38 is hinged at 42 to the metal wall structure 40 of the housing 12 ofthe vending machine 10. This allows easy access to the dispensingmechanisms for reloading tickets, and for servicing.

[0086] The mechanism 21 includes a ticket drive roller 48 driven by adrive motor (not shown) and a mating idler roller 50 for moving anelongated strip 46 of tickets through the dispensing mechanism. In theticket strip 46, the lottery tickets are separated from one another bymeans of perforation lines, such as the line 47 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0087] Preferably, the tickets are stored in fan-fold stacks in thehousing 12. As it is shown at 28, in FIG. 1, the ticket strip 46 movesdownwardly past a window so that, as the tickets are being dispensed,the moving ticket strip is visible to the customer. The ticket stacksand the mechanism for delivering the ticket strip to the rollers 48 and50 are not shown, for the sake of efficiency in the drawings and becausethese aspects of the vending machine 10 are well known.

[0088] The ticket strip 46 moves downwardly through a perforationdetector indicated generally at 51. The perforation detector, which alsois well known, consists of an angular guide member 52 and a gate member54 which is attached to a pair of end members 72 which are pivotablymounted on the shaft 49 on which the drive roller 48 rotates. Only oneof the end members 72 is shown in FIG. 2.

[0089] The perforation detector also includes a deflector block 56. Theguide member 52 has a sharp edge at 62 and has a transverse edge 61which is parallel to and closely spaced from an upwardly-sloping portion57 of the deflector block 56 to form a slender, upwardly-directed outletpassageway for passage of the ticket strip 46.

[0090] The walls 53 shown in FIG. 3 as part of the guide structure 52are reinforcing walls. The members 52 and 56 preferably are molded outof a sturdy plastic material such as ABS, or can be made of steel shoulda more secure structure be required.

[0091] The ticket strip 46 passes through a separator mechanismindicated generally at 58.

[0092] Also provided is a conveyor system indicated generally at 60which helps guide the ticket to be dispensed over the separatormechanism, and under the forward roller loo guide the ticket 90 to bedispensed toward the outlet opening 32.

Perforation Detector

[0093] Referring again to FIG. 2, as the leading edge of a ticket stripenters between the drive rolls 48 and 50 and moves downwardly, its edgestrikes the deflector block 56 at an angle which impedes the forwardprogress of the ticket and bows it outwardly against the gate 54 asindicated at 64. As the bowing increases, the angle between the leadingedge of the ticket strip 46 and the deflector block 56 decreases, whichallows the leading edge to slip past the sharp edge 62 and into thenarrow outlet passageway of the perforation detector. This causes thegate 54 to swing about its pivot point in a clockwise direction, asindicated by the arrow 55.

[0094] An arm piece 74 extends outwardly from the gate pivot axis 49 asthe gate 54 rotates. This motion moves a magnet 78 mounted on the arm 74away from a Hall-effect detector 76 mounted on a stationary support inthe dispenser mechanism. This motion causes a signal to be developedwhich indicates to the control circuitry of the machine that a ticket isbeing transported through the dispenser and that the perforation has notyet reached the corner 62.

[0095] The gate 54 is urged towards the surface 57 of block 52 by thelight pull of a coil return spring 70 attached to the outer end of anarm 68 extending from the gate. The spring 70 forces rotation of thegate in a counterclockwise direction and closes the gate when the ticketstrip is not bowed.

[0096] In a bowed condition, the strip 46 progresses downwardly untilthe perforation 47 travels past the gate 54 and reaches the sharp corner62 where it bends along the perforation line. Because the strip bendsvery easily along the perforation line, the bow 64 disappears, and thegate rotates counterclockwise and closes, thrusting the ticket stripagainst the left vertical surface 57 of the member 52. The arm 74 andthe magnet 78 rotate counterclockwise, under the force of the spring 70,until the magnet 78 overlies the Hall-effect detector 76. This creates asignal indicating that a perforation has been detected.

[0097] The control circuitry microprocessor 122 (FIG. 7) is programmedto then move the ticket strip a fixed further distance equal to thedistance between the corner 62 and the outlet opening 66 from the outletpassageway at 61. Then, the drive mechanism stops with the perforationline 47 located at the point 66. The point 66 will be called the“separating location”.

[0098] Thus, the perforation detector 51 detects each perforation anduses that detection to correctly position the perforation at theseparating location 66.

[0099] The drive roller 48 is driven through a known anti-reversingmechanism (not shown) to prevent tickets from being pulled from themachine by a customer pulling on the strip 46. The seating of the corner62 in the bend at a perforation line also tends to prevent such fraud.

Separating Mechanism

[0100] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, and particularly to FIG. 5, theseparating mechanism 58 includes a shaft 88 with two hubs 89 and 91 atopposite ends and a dull-edged helical blade 92 secured at each end toone of the hubs 89 and 91. The blade extends around the shaft 88 throughan angle of approximately 180°.

[0101] Referring now to FIG. 2, the shaft 88 is rotated by means of adrive motor 80 whose output drive shaft is shown at 82. A large spurgear 84 is mounted on the shaft 82 and drives a smaller spur gear 86attached to the shaft 88. The gears 84 and 86 are in the foreground ofthe structure shown in FIG. 2, and are shown mostly in dashed outline inorder not to obscure the parts behind them.

[0102] As it is shown in FIG. 5, each end of the blade 92 has aprojection 110 with a hole in it (only one end is broken away to showthe projection). As it is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the hubs 89and 91 has a flatted section 93 or 95, respectively.

[0103] As it is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ends of the helical blade 92are fitted into slots cut in each hub parallel to the flat 93 or 95 sothat the end of the blade is roughly tangent to the shaft 88 at each endof the structure. A screw 97 passes through the hub, the projection 110(FIG. 5), the shaft 88, and into a threaded hole in the hub on theopposite side of shaft 88 to hold the end of the blade 92 securely inthe hub. As it is shown in FIG. 5, a screw 112 passes through a tab 113on the blade 92 to hold the center of the blade onto the shaft 88.

[0104] The conveyor system 60 is used to assist in the separatingprocess. An idler roller 100 is positioned downstream from the separatormechanism and just adjacent to the ticket dispensing outlet opening 32.Another idler roller 98 is located to the left of the roller 100 andslightly above it. Roller 98 is smaller in diameter than the roller 100.

[0105] As it can be seen in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the conveyormechanism includes four conveyor bands 96, which preferably are rubberO-rings which ride in circumferential grooves 97 and 101 in the rollers50 and 100, respectively.

[0106] When the ticket exits the narrow outlet passage, the leading edgeis directed tangentially towards the top of the shaft 88, and intoO-rings 96 which divert the ticket downwardly and under roller 100,binding the ticket over the separator shaft to form an arc. Thisstiffens the ticket and assists in the separating process.

[0107] An angular metal guide plate 94 assures that the ticket 90 isguided towards the exit opening 32. The conveyor wheel 100 also servesto guide the ticket 90 through the outlet opening.

Separator Blade Operation

[0108] The manner in which the separator blade 92 separates the leadingticket 90 from the ticket string now will be described.

[0109] When a separating signal is received from the control CPU 122(see FIG. 7), the motor 80 starts rotating the shaft 88 in a clockwisedirection, as shown in FIG. 2. The leading edge of the blade is shown at87. It is at the right-hand end of the blade structure (see FIG. 3).

[0110] With the blade 92 in the position shown in FIG. 2, prior toseparation, the lead ticket 90 slides upwardly and over the shaft 88 ina portion where the blade 92 does not block the passage of the ticket90, and the leading edge of the ticket is moved through the dispensingoutlet 32 until the perforation at the junction between the lead ticket90 and the following ticket reaches and stops at the separation location66.

[0111] A separation signal is created at this point, and this starts themotor 84.

[0112] As the shaft 88 starts rotating clockwise during a separatingmovement, the leading edge 87 of the blade first contacts the portion ofthe ticket closest to the right-hand hub 91. This pushes upwardlyagainst the ticket stock while the up-stream portion of the ticket stripis being held in the outlet slot at 61. Thus, the blunt edge of theblade moves upwardly and starts tearing the ticket at the right handedge of the ticket strip (as shown in FIG. 3).

[0113] As the shaft 88 rotates further, the helical blade 92 makescontact with the ticket stock at a point which moves successivelytowards the left, as shown in FIG. 3. This action continues and, as thehelical blade 92 continues to rotate, it contacts the ticket stock atpoints which move gradually from the right hand hub 91 to the left handhub 89 and thus tears the ticket progressively along the perforationline 47.

[0114] When the ticket has been completely separated, the shaft 88continues to rotate until it has rotated one complete revolution.

[0115] The rotation is detected by the arm 104 of a feeler switch 102which rides on a cam 103 attached to the right end of the shaft 88 (seeFIG. 4). When the feeler arm 104 detects the cam projection 105, thiscreates a signal which indicates that the shaft has reached its homeposition. This stops the motor 80 and the separator mechanism waits forfurther instructions.

[0116] The customer now can remove the ticket 90 from the machinewithout having to tear it off.

[0117] Although it is generally taught in the prior art that thedownstream end of the ticket 90 to be dispensed should be held duringthe separating operation using prior separators, with the presentseparator this is not necessary. It is only necessary to prevent thedownstream portion of the ticket 90 from flexing downwardly. This isaccomplished by angular guide plate 94. Even though the blade 92 isdull, its movement upwardly past the narrow outlet slot of theperforation detector creates a shearing action which tears the ticketsapart along the perforation line, without holding the ticket firmly at adownstream location.

[0118] An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8.Instead of the O-ring 97, there are two pairs of drive rollers 150, 152and 154, 156 and a curved guide 158 which bends the ticket around theshaft 88. The rollers 154, 156 drive the ticket out of the machine.

Control Circuit

[0119]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control circuit 120 of thepresent invention used to operate the vending machine 10.

[0120] The control circuit 120 uses a microprocessor CPU 122 to controlthe functions of the equipment. The CPU receives input signals from thecredit acceptor 124 and sends appropriate credit display signals to thedisplay 126 (also see FIG. 1).

[0121] The electrical components of one dispensing unit 21 are shown indashed outline at 128. The perforation detector is represented by theblock 134. The separator detector, namely, the microswitch 102 andassociated circuitry, is shown at 136. The ticket drive motor is shownat 138, and the separator drive motor is shown at 80. The dispensebutton 30 for the dispenser also is shown.

[0122] A signal developed by depressing the dispense button 30 is sentto the CPU, which then starts the ticket drive motor 138. When theperforation detector 134 detects a perforation, it sends a signal to theCPU which causes the motor 138 to move the ticket strip the furtherdistance required to bring the perforation to the separation location 66(see FIG. 2), and then the motor stops. Then the CPU instructs theseparator drive motor 80 to start and it rotates until the separatordetector detects the completion of one revolution, and then signals theCPU which causes the separator drive motor to turn off.

[0123] Additional dispensing units are connected to the same CPU asindicated by the further blocks 128. In the case of the machine shown inFIG. 1, there are a total of eight of the blocks 128.

[0124] As it is well known, from time to time, operating information issent over a modem 130 and telephone lines to a remotely located stationat which the information is stored and monitored.

[0125] The issuance of individual separated tickets or a string oftickets not separated is accomplished in the following manner.

[0126] When the dispenser button 30 is pressed and released by thecustomer, a single ticket will be dispensed. After removal of theticket, the dispenser and button are enabled to repeat the process.

[0127] To issue an unbroken string of tickets the customer can hold thedispense button down until the desired number of tickets are presented,or until credit is depleted. Upon release of the button, the dispenserwill either stop or advance the perforation of the last ticket in thestring to the separation position, where the separation will occur.

[0128] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, if itis preferred detect the leading edge of each ticket and to cut eachticket and not issue tickets in strings, one can use a front edgedetector as shown in dashed lines at 140 in FIGS. 2 and 7. In this case,the front edge detector would replace the perforation detector 134 inFIG. 7 and the detector 140, which can be a lamp and photocellcombination for example, will cause the front edge of the ticket to stopat the proper location. Then, the ticket is moved a predetermineddistance to bring the next perforation to the separating location, andthe separator operates.

[0129] The credit acceptor which is conventionally used in most vendingmachines selling lottery tickets of the scratch-off type is a billacceptor which will accept anything from a one dollar bill to a twentydollar bill.

[0130] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, thecredit acceptor unit 124 shown in FIG. 7 includes a conventional barcode reader 125 to read the bar code on a voucher which has been printedwith a bar code to indicate the number and type of tickets to be issued.This causes signals to be stored in the CPU corresponding to the barcode information and credits to appear and causes the appropriate numberand type of tickets to be issued in accordance with the bar codedinformation. This enables the ordering and paying for the lotterytickets at a location separate from the location of the vending machine.

[0131] Of course, other kinds of credit acceptors can be used, such ascoin acceptors and credit card readers, as is well known in the art.

[0132] The blade 92 shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 is made of aluminum.However, the blade also might be molded out of a tough thermoplasticresin.

[0133] An alternative separator structure is shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6,the separator blade is formed in two separate sections 114 and 116. Thesection 116 is rotated circumferentially with respect to the section 114so that the separating action is performed by two separate blades spacedsomewhat apart.

[0134] In general, the separator blade can be formed by a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from shaft 88 so that each projection isspaced axially and circumferentially from the adjacent projection.

Code Reading

[0135]FIGS. 9, 14, 15A and 15B show different embodiments of theinvention in which a code reader is provided to read the codedinformation from the rear surface of the ticket during the dispensingprocess. In addition, these Figures show new ticket transport structureswhich enable a substantial reduction in equipment costs and spacerequirements for the dispensers.

[0136]FIG. 9 is a perspective schematic view of a vending machine 160like that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, except that the machine hasfour dispensing bins or channels in a horizontal row. The machine alsohas multiple rows of dispensing bins so that twelve or more dispensingbins or channels can be housed in a single vending machine roughlycomparable in size to those presently featuring substantially fewerchannels.

[0137] The housing 160 is shown in dashed outline to indicate the factthat it also can represent a clerk-operated dispenser which rests uponor in a store counter for use by a clerk in dispensing tickets for whichhe or she is paid directly.

[0138] Still referring to FIG. 9, four fan-fold stacks 162 of lotterytickets are stored in the housing 160. The housing 160 has four windows166 like the windows shown in the machine of FIG. 1. A ticket strip 164is pulled upwardly through a set of guide rollers 165 past each window166 and past a bar-code scanner 168, there being one scanner for everychannel. The strip is pulled upwardly by a set of drive rollers 178 intoa separator mechanism 176 having a helical rotary separator element 226.Exit drive rollers 180 drive separated tickets 182 through an outletopening in the machine housing.

[0139]FIG. 10 shows one structure for issuing the tickets through anoutlet opening 188 in the housing wall 186. The rollers 180 drive theticket against a curved guide 184 which guides it through the outlet 188where the customer can grasp it and remove it from the machine.

[0140] Another arrangement for issuing the separated ticket or ticketstring is shown in FIG. 11. The rollers 180 drive the separated ticketor string upwardly against a curved guide 196 which guides the tickettowards the left and into the nip of a pair of drive rollers 190. Theseparated ticket or string then passes through the rollers 190 until itstrailing edge clears the left-most edge of the guide 196 and the ticketassumes the position shown at 192 in FIG. 11. The direction of rotationof the rollers 190 then is reversed, and the ticket or ticket stringtravels along the path 194 out of the machine through the outlet opening188. This arrangement is believed to provide better security againsttampering than the arrangement shown in FIG. 10.

[0141]FIG. 14 is a side-elevation, partially cross-sectional andpartially broken-away side elevation view of the ticket transportmechanism in one of the channels of the machine shown in FIG. 9.

[0142]FIG. 14 shows the bar code-scanners 168 at two differentalternative locations; the lower location, shown in dashed outlines, isthat shown in FIG. 9. In this location, the bar code scanner scans thebar code on the rear of the ticket before it reaches the separatormechanism.

[0143] When the bar code scanner is in the uppermost position, shown insolid outlines in FIG. 14, the code is read after the ticket has beenseparated from the strip and is about to be issued from the machine.

[0144] The lower location shown in FIG. 14 is advantageous when themechanism is aligned vertically as is shown in FIG. 14, in that itrequires less vertical space for the mechanism than the location at thetop of the mechanism.

[0145] It should be understood that the mechanism shown in FIG. 14 alsocan be rotated 900 to be horizontal and issue tickets from the machinein a horizontal direction.

[0146] The vertical orientation shown in FIG. 14 has the advantage thatit facilitates feeding tickets from the top of the stack so that theycan be dispensed with ascending serial numbers, and also can be used inexisting counter-top clerk operated manual dispensers.

Multi-Channel Spanning

[0147] Advantageously, the number of parts and the size of the transportand separator mechanism are minimized by using a structure in which thedrive and separator elements span a plurality of channels or bins.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17, a single elongated body member222 is provided to span the four bins. Preferably, member 222 is analuminum extrusion having a semi-circular channel 224 in which theseparator member 226 is mounted to rotate.

[0149] As it is shown in FIG. 16, four upper body members 223 areprovided. Four idler roller assemblies are provided, each consisting ofa pair of end brackets 290 and 292 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) which have acurved cut-out area 227 to accommodate the rotary separator member, andeight idler rollers 242 and 246 mounted to rotate on axles 240 and 254,respectively. The brackets 290, 292 are fastened to opposite ends ofeach upper body member 223. Two end plates (not shown) are attached atopposite ends of the extrusion and a rod (not shown) passes throughholes 293 in the brackets to serve as a hinge or pivot for lifting eachassembly to relieve ticket jams in the unit. Latch means (not shown) isprovided using the holes 295 in the brackets to urge the pinch rollersin to firm contact with the drive rollers. One or more springs (notshown) assists in biasing the idlers in this manner.

[0150] Referring still to FIGS. 14, 16 and 17, each of the four channelsof the dispenser is spanned by two shafts 230 and 244. The input driveroller unit 178 includes four drive rollers 232, one for each of thefour channels, which are rotatably mounted on the stationary shaft 230.

[0151] A single drive shaft 294 (see FIG. 17) is driven by a steppingmotor 251 with an output drive shaft 252 which rotates four spur gears,each of which can drive spur gear 238 which meshes with spur gear 236secured to one of the rollers 232. When engaged, an electricallyoperated clutch 234 couples gear 238 to the drive shaft 294. Thus, byselective operation of the electric clutches, rotation of the driveshaft 294 causes only a selected one of the rollers 232 to be driven todrive the ticket strip in the selected channel.

[0152] The rollers 246 are driven by the stepper motor 251 to moveseparated tickets out of the separator mechanism and, in some instances,out of the vending machine.

[0153] The shaft 244 is driven by a large spur gear 250 meshing with asmaller spur gear 248 secured to the shaft 244. The gear 248 is drivenby the stepping motor 251 through the gear 253 which is on shaft 252 andother gears, which are not shown, for the sake of clarity in thedrawings.

Separating Mechanism

[0154] The separating mechanism 176 includes a common shaft 228 whichspans all four channels of the dispenser. Four helical separator members226 extend outwardly from the shaft 228. There is a separate helicalseparator member mounted on the shaft 228 for each of the four channels.These separators are not shown in detail in FIG. 14 for the reason thateach segment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 5 of thedrawings, except that there are four of the segments along the length ofthe common shaft 228.

[0155] The shaft 228 is rotated, upon command from the control circuitry(see FIG. 18) by a separator drive motor with a cam wheel and switch (asin FIGS. 2 and 4) to rotate the shaft one revolution. This rotates allof the helical separator members simultaneously, and any ticket which isin position for separation will be separated by this operation. Theoutput drive rollers 246 then remove the ticket from the separatormechanism.

[0156] The strip 164 is shown in FIG. 14 extending all the way to theseparator mechanism 168 at the top of the drawing.

[0157] In actual operation, the strip 164 will move forwardly to aposition in which its leading edge is detected by an edge detector 275near the input drive rolls 178, at which the ticket will stop, waitingfor instructions to issue a new ticket. The position detected bydetector 275 is upstream of the separation location 273, and the systemcontroller shown in FIG. 18 will use the pre-stored ticket length tomove the ticket forwardly or backwardly to bring the next perforation tothe separation location 273.

[0158] A second edge detector 272 is located downstream from theseparator location. Pulses from the stepping motor 251 which drives theticket strips are counted by counting circuitry in the control circuitof FIG. 18. If the detector 272 does not detect a leading or trailingedge when it is supposed to be passing by, then the detector signals anerror and stops the dispensing process until the error can be corrected.

[0159] As another alternative, the bar code reader 168 can dodouble-duty as a ticket location detector, if the bar code is locatedconsistently from one game ticket to another.

[0160] When an instruction comes from the controller to dispense aticket, the appropriate drive roller 232 is driven to move the edge ofthe strip over the separator structure 228 and towards the nip of therollers 256 and 246. The edge of the ticket then enters the nip of thoserollers and continues moving until the ticket has moved a predetermineddistance, as determined by the controller using the pre-stored ticketlength. If a single ticket is to be issued, the ticket stops, and theshaft 228 rotates, the separator mechanism separates the ticket in themanner described above. If a string of tickets is to be issued, thestepping motor pulses are counted until the desired number of ticketshas passed, and then the perforation at the end of the string is stoppedat the separation location, the string is separated, and then is issuedfrom the machine.

[0161] Assuming that the code reader is located at the top of themechanism, as shown in solid outlines in FIG. 14, the separated ticketthen moves a distance further, while the rest of the strip isstationary, until the bar code, which is at a distance D from theleading edge of the ticket, reaches the bar code reader location. Theticket stops briefly, the bar code is read, and the ticket resumesmovement. When it reaches the nip of a driven roller 264 and an idler266, it is thrust against a curved guide 268 and bent, as shown at 270and is caused to exit the machine through the outlet opening 188 in thefront wall 186 of the machine.

[0162] The ticket passing through the separator mechanism 176 is guidedin its curved path by a ramp 243, the curved inner surface 229 of themember 223 and the curved opening 227 in the brackets 29, 292, so as toachieve a certain degree of curvature and stiffness, at the time ofseparation, as in the FIGS. 2-6 embodiment.

Bar Code Reader

[0163] The bar code readers 168 can be of a variety of different types.

[0164] Preferred for its simplicity, small size, moderate cost and lackof moving parts, is a series of linear CCD scanners 263 (FIG. 15B) suchas those used in facsimile machines. One of the linear arrays spans eachof the four dispensing channels. However, if those scanners do not havesufficient resolution to read the bar codes reliably in issuing lotterytickets, the type of scanner shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 can be used.

[0165] In such a system, a movable scanner 168 (FIG. 15A) is used toread the codes on tickets in four bins or channels. The scanner containsan infrared LED emitter 262 and a photo-transistor receiver 260 (FIG.14), thus constituting a standard wand-type bar code reader. Referringto FIG. 15A, the scanner 168 is mounted on a ball-screw drive rod 258,as shown in FIG. 15A, with a drive gear 259 secured to the shaft 258which is driven by a motor 261. As it is well known in the art, theball-screw 258 has reversing threads so that when the scanning headmoves to the end of its path, it automatically returns to its start asthe shaft continues to rotate. A limit switch 269 detects its return andstops the motor. Thus, the scanner 168 moves across the paths of thefour channels, once forward and once back for each code readingoperation. The scanner comes to rest at a position in the center of thefour channels.

[0166] As an alternative, the code reader 168 or 263 can be an opticalcharacter recognition reader, and the code can be in any of the knownOCR alphanumeric fonts, or in other OCR-readable fonts.

[0167] If the bar code lines extend in a direction perpendicular tothose shown in FIG. 12 so that the bars of the code extend perpendicularto the direction of movement of the ticket, the bar code reader 168 canbe stationary and the motion of the tickets while being dispensed willprovide the motion necessary to read the bar code.

Ticket Structure

[0168]FIGS. 12 and 13 show the back and front, respectively, of atypical instant-winner lottery ticket 200, with certain modificationsmade in accordance with the present invention.

[0169] The ticket 200 has a leading edge 202 and a trailing edge 204.Typically, these edges are rough since they are formed by tearing theticket strip apart along perforation lines.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 12, the rear of the ticket includes printedinstructions 220 in human-readable printing, as well as bar code arrays216 and 218. Only the array 216 contains information of interest in thisinvention. The strip of bar code marks extends across the width of theticket and the center of the strip is located at a distance D from theleading edge 202 of the ticket.

[0171] Referring now to FIG. 13, the ticket has indicia 206 printed onit indicating the identity of the game in which the ticket is issued. Inthis case, the game is called “Lucky 7”. Printed instructions areprovided at 211 informing the purchaser how to play the game.

[0172] The ticket 200 shown in FIG. 13 is a so-called “scratch-off” typein which the game numbers shown in dashed outline at 210 are printed inan area 208 and then covered with an opaque coating which prevents thenumbers from being seen until they are scratched off with a fingernail,or a coin, or a key, etc., as is well known. In the game in question,the purchaser wins $10 if three sevens appear among the numbersuncovered by scratching off the coating.

[0173] In accordance with an alternative feature of the presentinvention, a separate scratch-off area 212 can be provided with hiddenindicia 214 indicating whether the ticket is a winner of a specialjackpot prize. In this case, the appearance of three triangles indicatesthat the ticket is a jackpot winner, in a game to be described below.

Initializing the Controller

[0174] The bar code readers are used advantageously in initializing thecontroller of the vending or dispensing machine when a new supply oftickets is loaded into the machine.

[0175] The loading is accomplished by first feeding the lead end of thetickets upwardly into the drive mechanism with the drive motor “on”.When the code on the ticket reaches the code reader 168, the bar codereader sends a signal to the microprocessor 122 of the controller (seeFIG. 18) to stop the feeding of the ticket until the bar code has beenread.

[0176] In some lottery tickets, the bar code of interest is located onthe front side of the ticket, as indicated at 213 in FIG. 13. In thiscase, the bar code reader will be located on the front side of thetickets, as shown at 189 in FIG. 14.

[0177] The bar code typically contains certain standard information.First, there is a unique identifying code identifying the ticket.Secondly, the length of the ticket is recorded. Third, the number oftickets in the batch being loaded is recorded, as well as the game inwhich the ticket is issued, and the price of the ticket. Otherinformation also is or can be supplied.

[0178] The code reader reads the information from the back of the firstticket, and sends it to the microprocessor 122 which then loads theticket length into memory, together with the other information. Then, ifthe position of the code reader is at the upper end of the mechanismshown in FIG. 14, the ticket strip is reversed until the leading edge isdetected by the edge detector 272 and the strip is ready for adispensing operation.

[0179] If the code reader is at the lower position shown in FIG. 14, theticket strip is moved forwardly to allow reading of the code in thefirst ticket and then reversed and the leading ticket is positioned fordispensing.

[0180] By this means, the information is automatically loaded into thecontroller and stored in memory without the service representativehaving to key it in on a keypad. This saves times and reduces thechances for error in inputting the information.

[0181] When bar codes are read from tickets during dispensingoperations, if the reader is at the uppermost position shown in FIG. 14,then the identification of the ticket is not read from the back of theticket until a dispensing operation is underway. If the ticket length isgreater than the distance from the separator location 273 to thescanning location, the ticket stops very briefly while the bar codescanner scans the bar code, and then resumes its movement until it stopsfor separation of the ticket. If the ticket length is less, then thecode is read after separation.

[0182] If the scanner position is the lower one in FIG. 14, then the barcode on the ticket is read prior to the ticket reaching the separationlocation. In this case, the information read is stored in a temporarystorage location in the memory of the controlling system and held untilthe next dispensing operation, at which time it is retrieved and used.This is done so as to associate the proper code with the ticket.

Control System

[0183]FIG. 18 shows the control system for the vending machine in blockdiagram form. This control system is the same as that shown in FIG. 7except for certain changes. Reference numerals from FIG. 7 are used toidentify the same elements. Each group of four channels of the dispenserincludes an identical set of controls 280. There is one of the groups280 for every four channels of the dispensing machine. Of course, thenumber of channels included in each group can vary as desired.

[0184] Each group of controls includes a dispense button 30, drivemotors 251, 261, etc., electric clutches 234, and edge detectors 272,one for each channel.

Ticket Verification

[0185]FIG. 18 also shows the operation of the invention in theverification of a winning ticket. A known verification device, such asthose used at checkout counters in grocery stores, is connected to thememory 282 of the control system shown in FIG. 18, or, alternatively, tothe system's central computer and memory 288 through a modem 286.

[0186] The information read from the back of each ticket preferably isstored both in local memory 282 and in the memory of the centralcomputer through the modem 130 over standard telephone lines 132 orother communication links. Thus, the verification device can receiveinformation either from the local memory 282 or from the centralcomputer and memory 288, or both, as desired. It may be desirable tointerrogate both memories, for example, in a system in which the localmemory 286 is used to store recent information and that information isdown-loaded periodically to the central computer memory.

Improved Accounting

[0187] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the dataprovided by the reading of information from every ticket dispensed givesadded opportunity for improved accounting, in that the issuance of everyticket, not just winning tickets which have been cashed, can berecorded. This gives instantaneous information regarding what should bethe remaining supply of tickets in each of the vending machines, and ingeneral permits accounting for every ticket sold and the price at whichit is sold. This, as well as the use of the invention initialization,reduces the chances for error and fraud.

Jackpot Game

[0188] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the abilityto read bar codes off of each ticket is used to create a jackpot whichcan be won by customers of any of a number of different games in alottery system, without providing a large jackpot in every game. This isdone by designating one, two or three, or any similarly small number oftickets in a lottery system, to be designated as jackpot winners. Thewinners can be selected from different games.

[0189] Such Jackpot tickets can be marked with a scratch-off covering asshown at 212 in FIG. 13, if desired. In any event, the winning ticketidentification number preferably is stored in every vending machine inthe system, and/or in the central computer of the system, so that whenit is detected that one of the winning tickets has been dispensed, thecomputer system will make the necessary adjustments in the jackpotamounts. The winner discovers that he or she has won the jackpot bymeans of an indication in a scratch-off area 212 on the ticket itself.The winner is detected by comparing the unique identification codes ofeach ticket dispensed with the pre-stored winning number in thecomputer. The amount of the jackpot can be displayed on the display 126,and it is stored in memory and can be retrieved when the winning ticketis verified.

[0190] The jackpot amount preferably is much larger than the maximumamount that can be won in the game in which the ticket is issued. Thisadds interest and excitement which attracts customers to each of thevending machines in the system.

[0191] In accordance with another feature of the invention, there areseveral ways in which the amount of the winning pool can be determined.It can be a fixed, pre-determined amount for each and every pool.

[0192] Alternatively, the pool can be accumulated over a period of timeby setting aside a certain small percentage of the value of each ticketwhich is dispensed. This is possible because each and every ticketdispensed in the system is detected. Then, when the winning ticket hasbeen issued, the computer automatically freezes the jackpot amount andstarts a new jackpot.

[0193] Preferably, the new jackpot consists of a “shadow” jackpot whichhas been accumulated simultaneously with the main jackpot byaccumulating and storing a smaller percentage of the price of eachticket sold simultaneously with the accumulation of money for the mainjackpot. Then, when the main jackpot is won, the amount in the “shadow”jackpot becomes the amount in the main jackpot, and a new “shadow”jackpot is started.

Over-Thee-Counter Dispensing

[0194] The dispensing mechanism shown in FIG. 9 is especiallyadvantageous in that it can be used in dispensing tickets upon demand bya clerk in a store selling tickets over-the-counter, as well as instand-alone vending machines of the type shown in FIG. 1.

[0195] In existing over-the-counter (“OTC”) dispensers, the lotteryticket strips are simply coiled, pulled out by hand, torn off by hand,and given to the purchaser. Typically, the tickets are pulled upwardly.Part of the dispenser is transparent so that the tickets can be seen.There is no detection of dispensed tickets.

[0196] The mechanism of FIG. 9 is advantageous in that it givesexcellent tracking of the sale of the tickets, as described above, thatpresently does not exist in OTC sales. Also, the tickets are dispensedupwardly, as in existing dispensers. The other advantages of themechanism and methods described above will be available in OTC sales,for the first time, at moderate cost.

[0197] The preferred over-the-counter or counter-top dispensers areshown in FIGS. 19 through 26, together with FIG. 18A.

[0198]FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a counter-top dispenser 300having instant-winner lottery tickets in each of four separate storageand dispensing channels 320, 322, 324 and 326.

[0199]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional and schematic view of the unit 300 ofFIG. 19, taken along line 20-20.

[0200] Referring now to FIG. 20 as well as to FIG. 19, the unit 300includes a bottom plate 302, vertical side walls 304 and 306 extendingupwardly from the plate 302 (see FIG. 19) and a transparent cover 308hinged at the lower left hand edge by means of a hinge 309 to the bottomplate 302.

[0201] A drive and separator module 360 is provided at the right side ofthe housing in FIG. 20 (at the front in FIG. 19).

[0202] The housing 360 has a front wall 312, a top wall 316 and an innerwall 314. The drive and separator mechanism in the housing 360 is thesame as that shown in FIG. 14, and the same reference numerals are usedto depict the same parts in both figures.

[0203] A pair of drive rollers moves a ticket strip through an inletopening 353 and towards the separator unit 176. A pair of output driverollers 178 issues the ticket 332 through an outlet opening 342.

[0204] Referring again to FIG. 19, there are four ticket outlet openings340, 342, 344 and 346, one for each of the four channels of the unit.

[0205] Still referring to FIG. 19, each of the four channels is definedby relatively thin vertical dividers 319, 321, 323, 325 and 327. Mountedbetween adjacent vertical dividers in each channel is a guide roller348. A stack of fan-folded lottery tickets 334 is shown in the channel322 in FIG. 20. The top layer 350 of the ticket strip is pulled aroundthe roller 348 and the leading portion 352 is inserted into the ticketdrive and separator unit 360.

[0206] The circle 318 shown in dashed lines inside the separator anddrive housing 360 is a schematic representation of the two motors usedto drive the mechanism shown in FIG. 14; that is, the drive motor 251and the separator motor 80 (FIG. 2). These components are not shown indetail to avoid congestion in the drawings.

[0207] In operation, the dispensing unit 300 is connected to a controlunit, such as a computer terminal 422 shown in FIG. 26, such as onewhich is used to sell Lotto tickets in a store.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 18A, the terminal 422 has a microprocessor 450,a keyboard 452, and a display 454. When the store clerk inputs, via thekeyboard 452, information identifying the game or games selected by thecustomer and the number of tickets, he or she enters the information andthe microprocessor selects the proper one of several dispensers 300 towhich it is connected, and the proper channel in that dispenser, andsends signals to the drive motors, clutches, and the edge detectors 275and 272 of the unit selected to cause the appropriate number of ticketsto be dispensed and separated.

[0209] By comparing FIG. 18 with FIG. 18A, it can be seen that thecredit acceptor 124 and the dispense buttons 30 are not needed. However,if preferred, dispense buttons also can be placed adjacent to everychannel of the dispensing unit.

[0210] A signal accounting for the sale of the tickets again is sentthrough a modem 130 to a central computer 132, as with the embodimentshown in FIG. 18, or is recorded locally at the control unit. Afterinformation has been accumulated in memory in the local control unit,the information can be transferred to the central computer periodicallyby means of a dial-up modem.

[0211] If desired, the verification device 284, additional memory 282,and additional other features used in the FIG. 18 embodiment also can beused in the FIG. 18A embodiment. However, it usually is preferred tokeep the system as simple as possible so as to minimize cost.

[0212] In accordance with another feature of the invention, a bar codereader reading wand 458 (FIG. 19A) is provided in each of the units 300.A bar code 459 (FIG. 19) is applied to the bottom of each channel orelsewhere in the dispensing unit adjacent each of the four channels.Each of the four bar codes is unique.

[0213] When a new supply of tickets is loaded into a particular channel,the bar code reading wand 458 is used to read the bar code 459 on thechannel, and on the reverse side of both the leading and the trailingticket in the ticket string. This information is input into the computerso as to initialize the dispensing unit without the use of a separatekeypad or the keyboard 452 for this purpose. This assists in minimizinginput errors.

[0214] In another version of the invention, this same information can beinput by way of the keyboard 452 instead of with the use of the bar codereading wand 458.

[0215] Referring again to FIGS. 19 and 20, when the drive system 318receives a signal to dispense tickets from channel 322, the drive rollerfor that channel is driven by the motor to pull the ticket strip towardsthe right in FIG. 20. The strip passes over the idler roller 348 and,when the bin is full or nearly full, the upper course 352 of the stripis close to the transparent cover 308 so that it can be seen easily asit moves.

[0216] When the ticket stack 334 is low, the upper course 352 of thestrip slumps as shown in FIG. 19 (the bin 322 is shown substantiallyfull in FIG. 20 for the purpose of illustration).

[0217] When the first perforation of the ticket strip reaches theseparation location, then the separator motor is energized, rotating thehelical separator blade 226 and separating the first ticket from thestrip. The clerk then can take the ticket and hand it to the customer.

[0218] If a series of tickets of the same type are desired withoutseparation, then the strip will be driven until the correct number oftickets has been issued, and then the entire string will be separated.

[0219] If it is desired to prevent slumping of ticket strips, as shownin FIG. 19, additional guide rollers can be provided along the topcourse 352 to hold it up at all times.

[0220] As it is, the fold at 350 in the ticket strip tends to hold thetop course 352 up when the bin is full or nearly full.

[0221] Slumping is not a critical problem, because the transparency ofthe cover 308 allows the tickets to be seen by the customer and theclerk clearly anyway.

[0222] When it is desired to load a fresh supply of tickets into thedispenser, the hinged cover 308 is lifted in the direction indicated bythe dashed line 311 and the arrow at the right and of that line to allowa new supply to be inserted into the housing.

[0223] The rear wall 310 of the cover also is transparent, a featurewhich allows the customer to see the tickets clearly from the rear sideof the dispenser 300, even when the units 300 are stacked one on top ofthe other as shown in FIG. 21. Optionally, the bottom wall or plate 302can be transparent too so as to increase visibility of the tickets whenthe dispenser is positioned as shown in FIG. 22, without the wall 370.

[0224] Thus, the customer is treated to the excitement of watching thetickets move past either the transparent end or the top of thetransparent cover 308.

[0225]FIGS. 22 through 24 show additional embodiments of the counter-topdispensers of the present invention, with modifications to allow specialmountings and display arrangements for the dispensers.

[0226] The dispenser 300 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is shown in FIG. 20resting upon a horizontal surface 335, such as a counter-top or shelf ina store. However, the unit also can be mounted vertically.

[0227] The embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is advantageous in that the driveand separation unit 360 is mounted onto the top wall of the housing sothat the unit can be mounted either vertically to a wall 370, or it canrest horizontally on the surface 372, using both the end of the tickethousing and the housing of the unit 360 to support the unit in avertical orientation.

[0228] The hinged cover is shown at 362. It is shortened as comparedwith the cover 308 of FIG. 20. Support members 366 and 364 are providedacross the top of the unit to which the unit 360 is secured.

[0229] The lower portion of the ticket strip bends and enters the driveunit 360 as the ticket 332 exits in a direction perpendicular to thecover 362.

[0230] An additional guide roller 368 is shown in dashed outline as anoption to help hold the stack of tickets in a vertical orientation.

[0231]FIG. 23 shows a unit similar to that of FIG. 22 except that thedrive and separation unit 360 is located near the top of the housinginstead of at the bottom. Support elements 380 and 378 are used tosecure the unit 360 to the housing.

[0232] The transparent cover 374 is hinged at the bottom by a hinge 376so as to provide access to the housing for replenishing the ticketsupply. The unit shown in FIG. 23 is particularly well adapted to bemounted vertically on a wall, as shown at 370.

[0233]FIG. 24 shows a unit like those shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, exceptthat the drive and separation unit 360 is mounted in the center of thehousing instead of at either end. It is supported by support members 382and 384. The transparent cover is hinged at 309 to provide access to theinterior of the unit.

[0234] The unit shown in FIG. 24 rests on a horizontal surface 335, andthe ticket is issued straight upwardly.

[0235] Each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 can be usedto advantage in a variety of different locations and under a variety ofdifferent mounting requirements.

[0236] The side walls 304, 306 and the housing 316 for theseparator/drive mechanism preferably are made of steel, and theremaining walls 308, 310 are made of a shatter-resistant, strongmaterial such as “Lexan” brand transparent plastic. The base plate 302is either steel or Lexan, as desired. A lock (not shown) is provided foreach unit. Thus, each unit is a strong, secure holder for the valuabletickets stored within.

[0237]FIG. 25 shows the installation and use of the dispensers hereunder consideration at a typical supermarket check-out counter 400.

[0238] The counter includes a conveyor belt 404 for moving the purchasestowards the clerk's station behind a cash register 402. A conventionalscanner 406 is provided to scan the bar codes from the products forentry into the computerized point-of-sale system and registry in thecash register 402.

[0239] A credit/debit-card “swiper” 408 is provided which the customercan use to validate his or her credit/debit card.

[0240] Dispensers constructed in accordance with the present inventionare shown in use at four different locations. One unit 410 is locatedunderneath the cash register 402, its transparent rear wall 310 isvisible so that the customer can see the tickets which are available forpurchase.

[0241] A second location s indicated at 412, where two of the dispenserunits are shown mounted on a shelf. Preferably, such units are of thetype which issues the tickets in a direction perpendicular to the frontwall of the housing.

[0242] A third location is shown at 415, where a dispenser unit standsvertically on the counter. The tickets can be issued verticallyupwardly, or perpendicular to the front of the dispenser unit, eithertowards the clerk or the customer.

[0243] Finally, a dispenser unit is located underneath the counter at416 where it is covered by a transparent section of the counter-top sothat the customer can see the selection of tickets available.

[0244] The electronic control of the dispensers can be exercised from aseparate computer terminal (not shown in FIG. 25) such as that used tosell Lotto tickets, as described above.

[0245] Alternatively, a separate small terminal can be provided for thepurpose.

[0246]FIG. 26 shows a typical counter 420 in a store other than agrocery store.

[0247] On top of the counter 420 is a computer terminal 422, such asthat used to sell lottery tickets, and/or another terminal used inregistering sales data and transactions.

[0248] Ticket dispensers are shown mounted in four different locations.A first location is at 432, underneath the terminal 422.

[0249] A second location is at 434, where three of the dispenser unitsare stacked atop one another. The transparent ends of the units faceoutwardly towards the customer, and the fronts of the units face towardsthe clerk.

[0250] A third location is at 436 underneath a transparent window in thecounter-top.

[0251] A fourth location is at 424 on a ceiling-mounted rack.

[0252] Finally, a wall-mounted array 426 of machines also is provided.

[0253] If desired, one of the four dispensing units 428 contains a billacceptor and electronic controls as in FIGS. 1, 7 and 18, which are usedto select tickets from each of the wall-mounted dispensers. Push buttonsas in FIG. 1, etc. can be provided, if desired, on the units themselvesso as to provide an easy means of selecting the type and number oftickets to be dispensed, if it is not desired to connect the dispensersto a computer terminal. If desired, multiple dispensing units 428 can bemounted in a single housing, to form a stand-alone ticket vendingmachine.

[0254] The various shapes of dispensing units shown in FIGS. 22 through24 can be used to provide various combinations of dispensing unitslaying flat or standing on their ends and stacked together to providecompact dispensing arrangements visible to the customer but which do notoccupy much space.

[0255] It can be seen from the foregoing that the objectives of theinvention have been well met by the equipment and methods describedabove.

[0256] The above description of the invention is intended to beillustrative and not limiting. Various changes or modifications in theembodiments described may occur to those skilled in the art. These canbe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ticket dispensing device comprising incombination: a plurality of ticket transport devices, each fortransporting tickets in an elongated strip in which the tickets aredelineated from one another by lines of weakness, from a supply to aseparator device; a separator device adjacent said transport devices andreceiving a strip of said tickets from each of said transport devices;an elongated rotary separator member spanning the paths taken by each ofsaid strips received by said separator device; and a drive device forrotating said separator member to separate one ticket from another in atleast one of said strips.
 2. A device as in claim 1 in which said rotaryseparator member includes a rotatably-mounted shaft with a projectionextending radially outwardly from said shaft in each of said paths topress against and tear said trip along at least one of said lines assaid shaft is rotated.
 3. A device as in claim 2 in which saidprojection is helical and the rotation of said shaft causes saidprojection to press against said strip at locations progressing acrosssaid strip along said one line of weakness as said separator member isrotated.
 4. A device as in claim 2 in which said transport devicesinclude a common shaft spanning the paths of each of said strips and atleast one drive roller in each of said paths rotatably mounted on saidshaft, a drive shaft, and a clutch activatable to drivably couple saiddrive roller to said drive shaft in each path to selectively move one ofsaid strips towards said separator member.
 5. A device as in claim 4including a second common shaft located spanning said paths and havingat least one drive roller secured to said shaft for moving a ticket fromeach of said strips away from said rotary separator member.
 6. A deviceas in claim 5 including third and fourth common shafts spanning saidpaths, each having rotatably-mounted idler rollers, one of said thirdand-fourth shafts being positioned with its idler rollers engaging thedrive rollers on said second common shaft.
 7. A ticket dispenser fordispensing tickets from strips in which said tickets are delineated fromone another by lines of weakness, said dispenser comprising: a housinghaving a rear wall, a front wall opposite said rear wall, and side wallsjoining said front and rear walls together, a plurality of storage areasin said housing, each being adapted to store one of said strips oftickets in compacted form, a plurality of ticket transport devices, eachfor transporting one of said strips from one of said storage areas to aseparator device; a separator device adjacent said transport devices andreceiving a strip of said tickets from each of said transport devices;an elongated rotary separator member spanning the paths taken by each ofsaid strips received by said separator device; and a drive device forrotating said separator member to separate one ticket from another in atleast one of said strips.
 8. A dispenser as in claim 7 in which saidfront wall is transparent and is positioned to overlie said storageareas when said dispenser is positioned with said rear wall resting on ahorizontal surface so that said ticket strips are visible through saidfront wall.
 9. A dispenser as in claim 8 including a guide means in saidhousing for guiding said strips of tickets past said front wall whensaid strips move during dispensing.
 10. A dispenser as in claim 7 inwhich said housing is rectangular in cross-section, the spacing betweensaid front wall and said rear wall is much smaller than the spacingbetween said side walls, and in which said storage areas are elongated,side-by-side rectangular spaces each shaped to receive one of saidticket strips folded over upon itself.
 11. A dispenser as in claim 10including divider walls extending from one of said front and rear wallsand separating said storage areas from one another.
 12. A dispenser asin claim 7 in which one of said side walls is transparent, said one sidewall spanning said storage areas so as to make said ticket strips insaid storage areas visible through said one side wall.
 13. A dispenseras in claim 7 in which said front wall is connected to said rear wall byat least one hinge so that said front wall can be moved to permit accessinto the interior of said housing.
 14. A dispenser as in claim 12 inwhich said housing has in a second side wall an outlet opening for eachof the ticket strips stored in said housing, and said one side wall isopposite said second side wall.
 15. A dispenser as in claim 7 in whichsaid ticket transport devices and said separator device are locatedadjacent one side of said housing and are adapted to move ticketsseparated from said strips out of said housing through outlet openingsin a direction generally parallel to said front wall.
 16. A dispenser asin claim 7 in which said ticket transport devices and said separatordevice are located in a second housing secured to and extendingoutwardly from the first named housing.
 17. A dispenser as in claim 16in which said second housing extends outwardly in a direction transverseto said front wall of said first housing to issue tickets in saidtransverse direction.
 18. A dispenser as in claim 17 in which saidsecond housing is isolated adjacent one side of said first housing andhas a side wall which is substantially co-planar with one of said sidewalls of said first housing, said co-planar side walls forming a base tosupport said housings on a horizontal surface with said front wall in asubstantially vertical orientation.
 19. A dispenser as in claim 7 inwhich said front wall is substantially flat and said side walls areconstructed to support the weight of other like dispensers, thefirst-named dispenser resting with said rear wall on a horizontalsurface and at least one of said other dispensers stacked on top of saidfirst dispenser.
 20. A dispenser as in claim 7 in which said dispenseris mounted together with other like dispensers adjacent an attendedstation having a counter, said dispensers being arrayed in anarrangement selected from the group consisting of; a vertical stack withsaid front wall of each dispenser horizontal; a side-by-side array ofdispensers with the front wall of each dispenser vertical, with eachdispenser being hung on a vertical wall or supported by a rack, shelf orcounter-top.
 21. A dispenser as in claim 7 in which said dispenser ismounted adjacent an attended station having a counter, said dispenserbeing mounted in an orientation selected from the group consisting ofunderneath a computer terminal or register; underneath a transparentcounter-top; and on top of a check-out counter with said front wallvertical.
 22. A device as in claim 7 in which said rotary separatormember includes a rotatably-mounted shaft with a projection extendingradially outwardly from said shaft in each of said paths to pressagainst and tear said trip along at least one of said lines of weaknessas said shaft is rotated.
 23. A device as in claim 22 in which saidprojection is helical and the rotation of said shaft causes saidprojection to press against said strip at locations progressing acrosssaid strip along said one line of weakness as said separator member isrotated.
 24. A device as in claim 7 in which said transport devicesinclude a common shaft spanning the paths of each of said strips and atleast one drive roller in each of said paths rotatably mounted on saidshaft, a drive shaft, and a clutch activatable to drivably couple saiddrive roller to said drive shaft in each path to selectively move one ofsaid strips towards said separator member.
 25. A device as in claim 24including a second common shaft spanning said paths and having at leastone drive roller secured to said shaft for moving a ticket from each ofsaid strips away from said rotary separator member.
 26. A device as inclaim 25 including third and fourth common shafts spanning said paths,each having rotatably-mounted idler rollers, one of said third andfourth shafts being positioned with its idler rollers engaging the driverollers on said second common shaft.
 27. A device as in claim 7including a computerized control unit connected to selectively operatesaid transport devices and said separator member to dispense apredetermined number of tickets.
 28. A plurality of dispensers and acontrol unit as in claim 27 with a monetary exchange acceptor, saiddispensers and control unit being arrayed together to form a multi-unitvending machine, with said dispensers connected to said control unit forselective operation.
 29. A method of selectively operating a multiplestorage unit ticket dispenser to separate tickets from strips in whichtickets are delineated from one another by lines of weakness, saidmethod comprising: (a) moving a ticket strip from one of said storageunits until a selected line of weakness reaches a separation location;(b) providing a single rotary separator member spanning the paths fromsaid storage units and having at least one projection which, when saidmember is rotated, applies separation pressure to said strip to tearsaid strip along said selected line of weakness; and (c) rotating saidseparator member when a selected line of weakness is in said separationlocation.
 30. A method as in claim 29 including the step of selectivelydriving a selected one of said strips to bring a selected line ofweakness to said separation location by providing a single drive shaft,driven by a drive motor, spanning said paths with a clutch for each pathto couple a drive roller to said shaft to drive said strip, andselectively operating said clutches.
 31. A method as in claim 29including the steps of providing a plurality of said dispensers,mounting them together to form a multiple dispenser unit, providing acomputerized control unit and a monetary exchange acceptor, andconnecting said dispensers to said control unit to form acustomer-operable vending machine.